Page 95 of The Sweetness of Life

“There’s nothing you can say, and even if there were, I don’t know if I have it in me to go there again. Can’t we call a spade a spade? We had fun, we finished the assignment, it’s time we both move on.”

“See, that’s the thing: I don’t want to move on . . . at least, not without you.”

Her eyes widen in disbelief. “Two weeks, Zach. It was only two weeks.”

“Who cares! Two weeks, two months, two years . . . whatever. When you know, you know, and I know I want you.” My eyes bore into hers, no hesitation, no doubt.

“Why?”

Do I or don’t I lay it all out there? Something tells me no. Keep it honest, keep it real, but keep it simple.

“I remember having a conversation once with my mother. It’s one of those conversations that really shouldn’t have stuck with me, but it did. I think I was thirteen at the time, and we were collecting honey from the bees when she said, ‘One day, when you least expect it, you’ll get stung, and there’s no turning back.’ I don’t find it a coincidence that she loves bees, you love bees, your name is Shel-bee, and here I am floundering because I’ve been stung so hard it hurts. It hurts to be with you, and it hurts to be without you.”

“Zach—”

“No, let me finish. Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve ached so bad I don’t know what to do with myself. Shelby, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about our plan sooner, because it did cross my mind to, and I’m sorry I waited so long to come here. I’m just sorry, sorry for everything. Tell me, how can I make this right? How can I make us right?”

The door opens, and we both turn to look at Meg. Her eyes skip between the two of us as she tries to assess the situation.

“Is he staying?” she asks Shelby.

Shelby turns to look at me as I run my hand over my head again, waiting.

“No,” I tell them.

“Are you sure? There’s plenty of work around here that needs to be done.” Meg smirks.

“I have to get back. They didn’t know I was leaving, but . . .” My eyes trail back to Shelby. “I needed to see you. It’s been too long.”

“Okay, be right back then.” Meg slips inside, leaving us alone on the sidewalk once again.

She isn’t going to give me an answer, and she isn’t going to tell me what to do. Taking a deep breath, I push away my frustration and bring up the last thing I wanted to talk about.

“Next weekend is the wrap-up party. I can’t imagine you won’t come, but I hadn’t heard if you were. I really hope you do. The wines are an afterthought to the work you did for the assignment. This party is really for you.”

“I disagree.” She pushes a few fallen hairs off her face. “The wines are the showcase, and the food is the afterthought.”

“I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree.” I give her a small smile, and her eyes soften, her beautiful blue eyes.

The door flies open. “Here.” Meg hands me a large to-go cup and a bag. “Our iced coffee is to die for, and I packed you some orange blossom madeleines.”

Orange blossom, just like their restaurant.

“Thank you, Meg. I appreciate it.” The emotion is thick in my voice, which I’m sure they both notice.

She gives me a small smile, turns around, and goes back inside.

The darkness of the night has shifted to more of a midnight blue with the sunrise on its way, but where Shelby’s standing with the light of the street and the restaurant, I can see her perfectly. I take another mental picture, hoping—no, praying this isn’t the last time I’m going to see her.

“Shelby—”

“They offered me the job,” she says quickly, cutting me off.

My heart skips a beat and pain weaves through every part of me. I had forgotten about the job she interviewed for in New York City, and every little bit of hope I had been clinging to breaks free. It’s not that I’m not up for long distance, because I am, but the five hours we have between us now is nothing compared to the sixteen between here and there. Looking at the ground, I need a moment to pull myself together, recognizing the distance already growing between us. This is her dream. This is what she wanted. I need to move past myself and give her what she needs.

Finding her eyes, I smile and see her let out the breath she was holding. “Congratulations. I’m so happy for you.”

“Thank you,” she whispers.